What's more, it is said that heroes are made by the times. Zhu Youxiao could not be sure whether great men and powerful people were created by history or could perform normally at any time.
For example, Sun Chuanting, a fierce general in the late Ming Dynasty, did not achieve his achievements now.
It remains to be seen whether Sun Chuanting has already possessed such an amazing ability.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao wrote down Sun Chuanting's name and decided whether to reuse him after further investigation.
In other words, he was prepared to give Sun Chuanting space to display his abilities in advance so that he could grow as quickly as possible.
After finding Sun Chuanting, Zhu Youxiao felt that he had gained a lot and was very happy.
Although there may be other talented people on the list, he doesn't know them. He can only let them down, endure slowly, and look for opportunities to shine on his own.
Who among the civil and military officials in the court can be used and who cannot be used? Who will be a loyal and capable minister that he can reuse and rely on? For Zhu Youxiao, this is the big problem that needs to be solved at the moment.
It would be satisfying to suppress all the ministers as an emperor, depose them if they disagreed, or even kill and replace them indiscriminately like Chongzhen did. However, the result may not be optimistic.
According to statistics, during the 17 years of Chongzhen's reign, he killed seven governors and eleven provincial governors, and replaced seventeen ministers of war and fifty cabinet ministers like a revolving lantern.
In Zhu Youxiao's view, it was right to slaughter those bastards who ignored the overall situation and only cared about party struggles and power struggles. However, indiscriminate killing would endanger the foundation of the regime.
Chongzhen killed so many people. Was there anyone who could come forward to help the country in times of crisis?
Facts proved that not only did it not happen, but the situation worsened and he became completely opposed to the officials. When he hanged himself on Coal Hill, he was accompanied by only one eunuch.
Even if you are the supreme emperor, whose words are golden and whose laws are enforced, and who can kill whomever you want and do whatever you want, it is still difficult to save the Ming Dynasty from danger by your own strength.
Where are the officials who are truly dedicated to their work, and who are they? Where are the famous generals and brave generals who are loyal and brave enough to turn the tide, and who are they?
Zhu Youxiao had already written down many names in his little notebook, those he wanted to kill or replace, but he was really troubled by the question of who could take over and change the situation.
Why are there so few of my confidants, loyal ministers whom I can entrust with important tasks, capable generals whom I can place my hopes for victory on, my white jade pillars that support the sky and purple gold beams that span the sea?
"Your Majesty, Wei Zhongxian, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the director of the Eastern Depot, is waiting to see you outside." The little eunuch's message interrupted Zhu Youxiao's thoughts.
Wei Zhonggou is here to report on his work. This is a big issue that concerns whether the anti-corruption storm I have been brewing can be launched and how strong the wind can reach!
Zhu Youxiao gave an order, ordering Wei Zhonggou to come to the imperial study to report on the matter.
……………….
Huguo Temple was first built in the Yuan Dynasty and was originally called Chongguo Temple. It was originally the residence of Yuan Prime Minister Tuoketuo.
In the fourth year of Ming Xuande (1429 AD), it was renamed Dalongshan Temple. In the eighth year of Ming Chenghua (1472 AD), it was renamed Dalongshan Temple Huguo Temple.
It is not known when temples and temple fairs were linked together. In addition to burning incense to worship gods and enjoying spring outings with the help of Buddha, market transactions also came into being.
There were many kinds of stalls at the Huguo Temple Fair, such as silk, cloth, clothing, porcelain, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, fans, cooking utensils, medicine, food, flowers and trees, fortune-telling, performances, juggling, etc.
There are many stalls, and naturally many people and goods. "From the mountain gate, the road is lined with stalls, selling all kinds of goods, and the tourists are so crowded that they can't stop."
Although it looks like a grocery market, the consumption amount is quite high.
There is a poem to prove this: "The East and West Temples have such a wide range of goods that they can spend millions of dollars a day. How many nobles have come here at leisure, their clothes still fragrant with the smoke of the imperial stove."
Among the crowds visiting the temple fair, one could occasionally find candidates preparing for the joint examination. Having concluded the academy and provincial examinations, the joint examination would be held by the Ministry of Rites in the spring, also known as the Spring Examination or the Ceremony Examination.
The dates of the imperial examination are basically fixed, and are on the 9th, 12th and 15th of February.
The admissions for the imperial examination were on February 27, and the results were announced on February 28. Those whose names were on the list were called "Gongshi" (Gongshi), and the first place was called "Huaiyuan" (Huaiyuan).
After the joint examination came the palace examination, scheduled for March 15th. After the palace examination, the top three and the yellow list were announced, namely the top three, second place, and other Jinshi rankings.
Due to the limitations of transportation and road conditions in ancient times, students from Jiangnan and even further afield in Fujian and Guangdong often set out on their journey right after taking the provincial examinations.
Students from Jiangbei, as the distance is shorter, usually set out after the New Year and arrive in Beijing in the middle to late January.
Of course, most of the candidates taking the imperial examination would arrive in the capital ten days to half a month in advance. After settling down, they would review their lessons, visit relatives and friends, send letters to visit famous people, or have a party to recite poems and compose couplets.
It is easy to be an official if you have someone in the court. This is an eternal law.
Even if one failed the imperial examination, a Juren was still eligible to become an official. If one befriended powerful officials in the court or the children of prominent families, it would be a great pleasure to be given an official position.
Of course, it is natural for candidates from other places to come to the capital to experience the prosperity of the metropolis under the emperor's feet, as well as the local customs and culture.
Strolling around the temple fair and tasting local snacks, a few familiar scholars chatted and laughed on their way to the temple fair.
"The scenery of this capital city is really eye-opening. We are all new to it, but Brother Wen is the only one who remains calm." The scholar surnamed Wang said to Wen Zhenmeng while admiring the restaurants and teahouses on the street.
Wen Zhenmeng smiled bitterly and shook his head. He pointed at the white hair on his temples and said self-deprecatingly, "I have failed the imperial examination ten times. I am very familiar with this capital city. Naturally, this is not new to me."
Another candidate, Chen, hurried to comfort him, saying, "Brother Wen is well-versed in classics and history, especially the Spring and Autumn Annals. He also has experience in the imperial examinations, so he will definitely pass this time."
"That's right, that's right." Wang Juzi, who had just said that Wen Zhenmeng was calm, knew that his words had touched Wen Zhenmeng's sore spot, and hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Wen Zhenmeng is already forty-six years old and mentally mature, so he naturally won't dwell on this matter.
After a short while, everyone was chatting and laughing freely again, talking about everything under the sun.
"I heard that this time the imperial examination will focus on policy questions, and the emperor will set the test questions himself!" said the candidate named Wang uncertainly.
The candidate surnamed Chen nodded slightly and said, "It's not surprising that His Majesty attaches great importance to this first imperial examination since his ascension to the throne. However, the questions in this policy examination are difficult to guess."
Wen Zhenmeng thought for a moment and said, "My two worthy brothers, have you read yesterday's court bulletin? The emperor has issued an order to reopen the military examinations and to use the imperial treasury to provide travel expenses for those who come to the capital to take the examinations, and to allow them to stay in the post houses."
"Hey, the martial arts candidate is given money for travel expenses. This is a treatment that we have never had!" Mr. Wang exclaimed in surprise.
The journey to take the imperial examination was long and arduous. Short distances were easy, but long distances of thousands of miles would require months of travel, and the cost of food, lodging, and transportation was considerable.
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